Feasibility of getting into PhD Programs with an MPH

[Psych O]

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Hi,

Can anyone provide feedback on the feasibility of getting into PhD programs in clinical psychology with a master's degree in public health? I have the option of entering master's programs in either public health or psychology in the fall (my BA is in an unrelated field). Although my ultimate objective is to obtain a PhD in psychology and work in a clinical setting, I am starting to question the psychology MA route for the following reasons:

1) I have not heard very positive things about psychology MA programs in general and although the school that I've been admitted to is reputable, I've heard very mixed feedback about the program itself. On the other hand, the MPH program that I've been admitted to is ranked very highly and well-regarded among everyone I've spoken to in the field.

2) It is my understanding that PhD programs are looking for applicants who have solid research experience and care less about their clinical background. An MPH would provide me with substantial research experience, including a fieldwork practicum and opportunities to work with professors.

3) The MPH program that I am considering would allow me to focus my coursework on mental health, including courses in psychiatric epidemiology, etc., in addition to courses that are required for both public health and psychology programs, such as biostatistics and research methods. I would also be able to take an additional five courses in psychology to supplement my public health coursework.

Although it seems more logical to obtain an MA in psychology as a stepping stone to a PhD in psychology, I am wondering whether an MPH wouldn't be just as beneficical. Although I want to work in clinical psychology, both disciplines are of interest to me academically and I want to attend the best master's program possible, provided that it doesn't prevent me from being a viable PhD candidate.

Any and all thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Ollie123]

This is a tough one. If your BA was in psychology I would definitely agree that a solid MPH with a focus in psychiatric epidemiology would trump a sketchy master's degree. However the fact that you may lack some of the pre-reqs to apply, coupled with being "unproven" in psychology at this point makes it a lot tougher. The fact that the degree allows you to take 5 courses in psychology helps that a great deal though.

Here's my suggestion. Are your psychology interests more along the lines of public health research? In other words, are you a macro person who wants to look at base rates, cultural differences, risk factors, etc? Or are you more of a micro person?

If you will be applying to labs that do the former, your MPH will likely be a bonus. If the latter, less so.

 

[Psych O]

Thanks for your feedback! You've definitely given me something to think about. One source of my quandary is that I am interested in both macro and micro research. I've worked in public health for the past few years, so at this point I am more familiar with macro-level issues, but I am also extremely interested in exploring mental health and behavior at the micro level. Frankly, I don't really know how a person can study one without some knowledge of the other, which is maybe why I am trying to pursue both, however unrealistic and unwieldy that may prove to be.

You alluded to the importance of being "proven" in the field of psychology for successful admission to PhD programs. Could you elaborate on that a bit? Are you referring to grades, research, publications, contacts? From your perspective, what is most important?

 

[Ollie123]

Well, research is most important, but it sounds like you'll have that. All the others are obviously important as well (I'd argue contacts are probably next most important).

In general, I'm just referring to the fact that with two degrees, neither of which is in psych, and all your research being more along public health-y lines (even with a strong overlap) you may encounter some "Why is he/she applying here instead of an Epidemiology/public health program? Does he/she really know what clinical psychology is about?". Basically, its more a matter of being familiar enough with psychology to know you want to devote 5+ years towards getting a doctorate in it. Not very fair, but when schools are trying to whittle 300 applications down to 10 acceptances, the reality is that not only can they afford to screen out qualified applicants for what might seem like trivial reasons, they pretty much have to.

Not saying it WOULD happen by any means as many professors might appreciate having a diversity of experience, just saying its something to be aware of. Its the sort of thing you would really need to make a case for in a personal statement, but if you did it well it could potentially work out in your favor. That being said, whether it would work out BETTER than having done a master's is still up for debate. Wish I had an easy answer but I don't.

I do also want to say, go you for wanting to combine research across areas. Too few people do this (because as you said, it IS unwieldy), but its a big plus for those who can pull it off.

 

[Sarahanne]

Ollie has some great advice. I recently earned a masters of health science in the dept. of mental health at SPH, which focused on psychiatric epidemiology, risk and protective factors, and facilitators/barriers to accessing mental health resources....and how to develop interventions on a public health scale. I loved the experience, and I found this education to be complimentary to my background in psychology. I think it also helped my application stand out when I was applying to clinical psychology Ph.D. programs.

Some other current students took another path you may be interested in. I know several students who decided to pursue a Ph.D. in public mental health, and are going to respecialize in clinical psychology. PM if you have any other questions.

 

[Psych O]

Thanks so much for your thoughts on this. There are so many factors, options, and possible outcomes to weigh that it is really helpful to hear another person's perspective. I just wish that the field wasn't so damn competitive and, as you said, sometimes unfairly so. There are so many health problems in this world that there ought to be room for all of us aspiring health care workers in it!

 

[73BARMYPgsp]

The DCT at my school is an LMFT/MPH/PhD. Not sure what order he did them in though.

 

[psybee]

my program (clinical psych PhD) allows you to also get public health training, and has practica and a concentration in public health, and many grads have gone on to work in epidemiology depts of medical schools and research institutions, so certainly there are clinical programs out there that are very interested in integrating clinical training, research, and public health/advocacy.

 

[Psych O]

Thanks, psybee. May I ask which school you are attending? You can send me a private message if that would be preferable.